Kitsch-up your summer

Sandwiches, soirees and flabongos

Jennifer Dodds Fox

Saturday, July 15th, 2017

Exciting News from Bird + Cleaver

I am beyond excited about the upcoming restaurant from husband-wife duo Bird + Cleaver. After years of successfully blogging their recipes and catering special events, parties and weddings, John and Lindsay Cheesebrew are prepping for their very own brick and mortar. Their Wells Street establishment will serve their elevated yet fresh, clean and simple fare–namely great sandwiches, salads and soups–as well as a handful of dinner entrees and their legendary desserts. The restaurant will serve guests on two floors, with the second floor doubling as an event space for private dinners and cooking classes. Bird + Cleaver will also host a limited-edition brunch from time to time, which makes me jump for joy. Not only am I excited to eat their food on the regular, but I’m also encouraged by their choice to set up shop on the storied Wells Street Corridor. It’s an intelligent pick as it’s so close to downtown and the area is primed and ready for a major revitalization. I’m confident Bird + Cleaver will usher in a much needed transformation for the street. While we’ll have to wait until late summer or early fall for this new culinary hot spot to open, check out Bird + Cleaver’s fantastic blog for recipes, events and updates, complete with gorgeous images I promise will make you dream of meals to come. http://www.birdandcleaver.com/

Shop Choice Designs Online

Renowned locally-owned company Choice Designs offers a long list of professional design services including remodeling, interior design, custom window treatments and art consulting. I’ve always admired their design and decor work, but since I’ve never been a client, it didn’t occur to me to visit and shop their showroom. That changed when I spotted their new online shop, filled with chic goodies at attainable prices. My first purchase was an adorable vase, shaped and painted like a lady’s face, which I’m sure you’ve seen by now, because they are oh-so-popular. I quickly returned to the site to purchase two gleaming gold-studded dog dishes, because my pup likes to be stylish, too. My next purchase was a naughty coffee mug that triggered my unique sense of humor. From kitchen and dining goods to home decor accents, lighting, textiles and jewelry, Choice Designs is the latest shopping destination for Fort Wayne and beyond. Please note: In-town shoppers can select local pickup from Choice Designs’ office and showroom, in lieu of regular shipping options, if desired. Choice Designs is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at 3223 Carroll Road. Visit www.choicedesigns.com to shop and learn more about the services Choice Design offers.

Flabongo

If you’ve been trying to figure out a way to add even more ridiculous fun to your 21+ Summer soirees, these next few sentences are for you. Flabongo (exactly what it sounds like) is a local company established in 2002 that makes beer bongs out of those wonderfully tacky pink plastic flamingoes. Even though I don’t personally bong beverages, I am a fan of flamingo paraphernalia (I have a flamboyance of them at Chez Fox) and can totally see giving a Flabongo as a quirky host gift. And because I’m a mature adult, I’ll quickly remind you to Flabongo responsibly, friends. Visit www.flabongo.com to shop the full product assortment.